Narcissist Traits – They Avoid Accountability (Pharisee Case Study)

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!”23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”

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Acts 5:27-28

27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

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We know from here that Pharisees were examples of narcissists / those with insolent pride. The very people who stirred up the crowds to ask Pilate to release Barrabas and crucify Jesus were the same ones who later were trying to avoid being pegged with responsibility for Jesus’ death. This is a classic narcissist move – seeking to be above accountability for their actions. Even when confronted by evidence to the contrary.

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Note: The point of this entry is not to say “the Jews killed Jesus”, but to illustrate the narcissistic tendency to avoid accountability for the very actions for which the narcissist is responsible. The Pharisees were not all narcissists, and the actions of Matthew 27 and Acts 5 were ultimately done by individuals. See here for an additional discussion on calling the Pharisees “narcissists”.